49ers’ Braylon Edwards has nagging shoulder injury

Adding injury to insult, Braylon Edwards has had just three catches of 20 or more yards this season and he’s been hurt on two of those receptions.

On Monday, the 49ers wide receiver acknowledged he injured a shoulder on his longest reception of the season, a 24-yard catch-and-run in the fourth quarter of a 19-11 win against the Redskins on Nov. 6.

In the three games since he landed on his shoulder after being tackled by Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall, Edwards has four catches for 52 yards, the lowest three-game output of his seven-year career. In his past 10 quarters, Edwards has one catch for 5 yards despite being targeted on nine pass attempts by quarterback Alex Smith.

Edwards said he’s dealing with an injury to his AC joint, which is at the top of the shoulder.

“Nothing super serious, but at the same time, it’s nagging,” Edwards said. “It bothers me.”

Edwards injured his shoulder – he wouldn’t say which one – a week after he returned from a four-game absence due to knee surgery. In Week 2, Edwards was injured on a 21-yard reception against the Cowboys.

Given his medical issues – and the Niners’ 9-2 record – Edwards said it might be beneficial for him to take time off to get healthy in advance of the playoffs. San Francisco can clinch the NFC West title with a win over visiting St. Louis (2-9) on Sunday.

“The ideal goal for me is to just get back healthy for the playoffs. That would be key,” said Edwards, who later added, “We’ll see what the doctors say. We’ll put that plan in the hands of the doctor and the trainers and coach Harbaugh and see what they think. Maybe it’s necessary. Maybe that’s what needs to happen.”

Niners coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged Edwards has played fewer snaps in recent weeks because of his ailments but didn’t say if he might sit out upcoming games.

“Braylon hasn’t said that to me,” Harbaugh said. “That’s something I can discuss with Braylon.”

The 49ers signed Edwards to an incentive-laden, one-year, $1 million contract in hopes he could provide down-the-field, playmaking ability. But Edwards, who averaged 15.8 yards per catch in his first six seasons, has 14 receptions, 172 yards (12.3 yards per catch) and no touchdowns.

Edwards’ disappointing season, coupled with a season-ending injury to wideout Joshua Morgan, has left San Francisco starved for wide-receiver production beyond Michael Crabtree, who is on pace for a career-high 66 catches.

The lack of a downfield threat is reflected in Smith’s numbers. He is tied for 17th in completions of 20 or more yards (29) and is tied for 28th in completions of 40 or more yards (two).

Regardless of Edwards’ health, Harbaugh said the 49ers have a downfield threat, but did not mention names.

“I think we have that with him,” Harbaugh said. “I think we have that without him.”

Briefly: Harbaugh did not provide an injury update on right guard Adam Snyder (hamstring), saying he didn’t want to tip off the Rams regarding Snyder’s status for Sunday. … Rookie fullback Bruce Miller (concussion) said he was feeling better after missing Thursday’s 16-6 loss to the Ravens.